Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-26
BUSINESS n LABOR.

100 o8ltouV I08CHIc9 IN CIooO C1tCSoD ou1
t ing the past six days rave been: First, tn
arresting of the dangerous upward ten
dency in prices which has threatened indus
try, trade and commerce for some weeks
and second, the cessation of the unusually
e active demand for all kinds OF materia
that has characterized every important
market in the country. Merchants, manu-
{ iacturers and consumers have begun tc
comprehend clearly that there is no occa
;. sion for the rapid anticipation OF require
( ments such as has been going on for two OF
/. three months past, and that delay, Oh
rather the purchasing Of what is needed
kabout the time it is nedeed is the best
!. policy. Production has been stimulated
possibly to an undue extent.
d This increase in production has shown
I more clearly in the iron and steel industry
. than in any other. The pig iron capacity
has reached to 10000 or 135, 600 tons
per week. An expansion has been going on
, among steel makers but demand keeps
pace. A similar expansion has been going
} on among all textile manufacturing con-
Germs, yet the demand is ahead Of the pros
pective supply, and as a consequence prices
have hardened in several lines OF goods,
chiefly cottons. The supply is abundant
and all mills throughout the New England
and Middle States will be kept running full
time until there are signs of an accumula-
tiOnsomewhere.
All financial centers are extremely active.
The expansion in loans at New York, Phil
adelphia and other centers has been steady
and is now at tho highest point for many
years. The proportion OF money loaned
as compared to six years ago is as $84 to
$37. Negotiations are in progress for the
loaning Of large blocks OF capital for rail-
road building and manufacturing enterprises
throughout the countay and very little
doubt is expressed concerning the success
full operations OF borrowers.
Railroad speculation is held to q legiti-
mate basis. There is an abundant supply
Of money for legitimate enterprises.
/ Wheat has dropped nine cents a bushel
since January LIST. Corn is steady. Wool
is in moderate demand throughout the
country. Hardware and tools and a~ericul-
tural machinery are in active demand
throughout the West and there is steady |
increase in activity in the multitude OF
smaller industries throughout the West |
and Northwest. In a general way the I
farming and manufacturing public are well
supplied with sufficient money to conduct
all operations ON a sale basis.
Rports from all the leading Western and
Eastern cities show an improving distribu-
ton Of all kinds of goods. Travelling
agents make excellent returns. and in a
general way are realizing slightly better
prices than twelve months ago.
This conservative tendency in demand
and steadiness in value and prices will re-
act favorably in the interests OF CONSUMERS
everywhere. Demand will not be frightened
nor will enterprise be discouraged, but
rather the reverse. Reports from st. Louis
and Chicago show a fairly active condi-
ton in the trade which grows out of the
agricultural and mining interests which
centre at these W points. Reports from
Pittsburg indicate q very healthy condition
OF the iron. steel, petroleum and glass in
dustries. Advices from leading builders
and architects in New York and Chicago
point very clearly to IN early and very &C
tive resumption of building operations on
a large scale. Two weeks ago some author
tiles apprehended that labor disturbances
might have a discouraglng effect, but the
OF the strikes in the vicinity OF
New York and the expression Of leading la
Dor leaders throughout the country Of
relations toward employers have
tended to strengthen confidence, aud to
open the way for the Inauguration of in '
enterprises which are always ready I
TO run at the sign Of the slightest danger. {
Workingmen in labor organizations are 6
for q higher degree of editorial '
talent. Their papers for the most part are ]
weak and discreditable. Their treatment g
If great economic questions is shallow, and c
conception OF great underlying prin- g
;iples is ioggy. The labor speakers who t
lave magnetic force are the great teachers E
Ind leaders; the editors are hangers-on for a
he most part, afraid to put in type for the b
public what the labor orators boldly assert d
rom the platform. The labor agitations n
re educating a class Of workingmen who a.
'il sooner or later be heard from. Thous. O
;nds are able to make addresses that m
'ould surprise professional men. More B
yer, they are better posted on practical 81
nd economical questions than those who
nay despise them. Labor literature is
stunning shape. At present it is largely
prmphlet and leaflet form. It is frag-
,entary, but the material is being gathered
oeether for future elaboration and treat Oh
rent. p'
A vigorous effort is being made in the &C
linois Legislature to establish arbitration. tl
is proposed to establish a board whose 81
will be final and binding for six o'
lonths. A bill providingf for the establish &c
lent OF cooperative enterprises will also al
ass. A bill has been introduced at Albany, 81
hich it is intended to prevent pools and Gu
in any kind Of merchandise, w
or fuel. 1t suits the labor ORDINATIONS OF
Try well, and they willmake strong efforts ~
have it put through. The Texas Senate - -.
as just passed a similar bill at the in. v.
ance OF the Changers and Knights. 90
Foreign iron makers are gloating over ~
cir heavy sales OF iron and steel to ~
The workmen are expecting bet ~,
r wages and the miners are asking how h,
ng it wilsbe before the improvement will ev
t down to coal. Leading manufacturers, ~.
nong them Lowthran Bell, think that it sh
only a question oil. time when American N
anufacturers will compete in the mar ..
is OF the world successfully. Sheffield
eel makers are pleased at the prospects sh
the adoption OF the flexible crank and 81
opeller shafting in lieu Of rigid shafting ~
marine propulsion. o-
A State Assembly OF the Knights OF tn
'bor will be established on the last Tues m
in February at Topeka, Kansas. fro
,ere are 1885 ~convicts in New York st
nal institutions. The Minneapolis 40
nights have started to build a fine hall. de,
le furniture-makers met at Cincinnati to tn
m a National Trades District. D.A. "a, en-,
Chicago, has started three boycotts. an
'irty-nine negroes belong to a Brooklyn
All cigarmakers are ordered to
DOSE between the International Union /
= u ~ u